Chapter 36: Chapter 36
Outside Mondstadt, at the boundary between Whispering Woods and Cider Lake, a dock has been constructed along the lakeside. Typically, caravans from around Whispering Woods and those crossing the sea from Cape Oath use this dock to load and unload goods, which are then transported by water to the back gate of Mondstadt for distribution.
About two kilometers from the dock, at the end of a new path covered in green grass, stood an abandoned estate covering about 40 acres. Hiroshi stood at the entrance, where vines climbed over the old gate. The road that had been overgrown with weeds had now become smooth and neat, with green grass covering the ground, beautiful flowers blooming on both sides of the path, and trees rising orderly according to Hiroshi's design.
"Is Brother hiroshi going to live here from now on?" Klee asked, looking up at Hiroshi with curiosity.
"Yes," Hiroshi smiled at Klee's puzzled face and pointed inside the overgrown estate. "Klee can live here too. Look, Starfell Lake is just west of the estate, so you can go and fish there whenever you want. So, little Klee, do you want to help me tidy up the estate?"
"Really?!" Klee's eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of fishing freely at Starfell Lake. Rolling up her sleeves, she tugged Hiroshi eagerly. "Brother hiroshi, let's quickly clean up the estate! I want to move in as soon as possible!"
Seeing Klee's impatience, Hiroshi smiled and took out several bags of seeds that he'd traded with Venti for a few bottles of plum wine. He handed them to Klee.
"How about you take care of planting flowers?" After being given the task, Klee, holding the bags of seeds, couldn't wait to get started. Hiroshi led her into the estate, where the weeds reached waist height. He patted her on the head, and they slowly rose into the air.
From above, the estate's position became clear. It lay on the edge of Windrise, bordering Whispering Woods and Cider Lake. At the center of the estate was a small hill, its foot nestled into Windrise. To the north, the estate bordered Windrise; to the west, it connected to Cider Lake; to the south, Whispering Woods and Mondstadt's dock lay close by; and to the east was the path to Cider Lake. The estate had a prime location, though it had been abandoned for more than a decade. Hiroshi hadn't bothered to find out why—it had been granted to him by the Knights, and now it belonged to him.
As his spiritual energy circulated through his body, two small horns grew on Hiroshi's forehead, emanating a draconic aura in the midday sun. He stretched out a hand towards the ground, his spiritual energy resonating between the mountains and rivers.
"In the name of the Mountain and River Lord, this land shall be my domain."
With Hiroshi's spiritual energy marking the boundary, all the land within his territory aligned according to his will. A new estate quickly emerged below him.
A three-story villa stood at the center, and the small hill was flattened into level ground. A white sandy beach appeared at the connection to Cider Lake, with gentle waves washing over the soft sand. Wide paths led to every corner of the estate, lined with rows of cherry blossom trees. The fertile land scattered throughout the estate was reserved for cultivation.
"Wow!" Klee exclaimed, tugging at Hiroshi in excitement. "Brother hiroshi, let's go down! I want to see the pretty flowers!"
With a clenched hand, a white barrier enveloped the estate, and then it vanished. Hiroshi looked down at the beautiful estate, nodding in satisfaction. He took a screenshot of it and shared it in the group chat, before descending into the estate with an eager Klee.
Klee dragged Hiroshi, exploring every corner of the estate excitedly. After choosing her favorite room, she grabbed a small spade and ran off to the garden in front of the villa, planting her seeds however her heart desired.
Hiroshi opened the group chat and tagged everyone.
**Hiroshi:** @Everyone, moving into a new house today! Estate.jpg
**Hiroshi:** How about a party tonight at my place?
**Xiaohei:** What a beautiful estate!
**Kazuma Sato:** @Hiroshi, you just returned yesterday, and now you're moving into such a nice estate today?
**Kazuma Sato:** I'll go buy myself a big estate later.
**Ruri Gokou:** You got the money?
**Hiroshi:** You got the money?
**Megumin:** You got the money?
**Xiaohei:** You got the money?
**Kazuma Sato:** As a hero who saved the city, how could I not have an estate?
**Kazuma Sato:** Didn't Hiroshi get his estate for saving Mondstadt? I took down the Demon King's general alone. Even if they don't give me an estate, I should at least get a discount if I buy one.
**Hiroshi:** You make a good point. Why don't you try?
**Kazuma Sato:** Of course, I'll do that. We'll join the party later.
**Kazuma Sato:** @Megumin, let's go grab Aqua and buy ourselves a house. No need to stay at that inn anymore!
**Megumin:** Alright, coming.
**Mu:** You plan to bring Aqua?
**Xiaohei:** Master!
**Ruri Gokou:** What's wrong with bringing Aqua?
**Mu:** I checked the destiny fragments for each of you, as Hiroshi suggested, and I realized that Kazuma Sato is truly a man of great fortune.
**Mu:** But with all the troublemakers around him, his fortune can't keep up, which led to a few deaths in the destiny fragments.
**Hiroshi:** Well...
**Hiroshi:** You're so right, Mu. I have no rebuttal.
**Mu:** Still, Kazuma's companions are also part of his fortune. Blessings and misfortunes depend on each other—his good luck likely comes from having those companions.
**Hinata:** ???
**Hinata:** Uncle Mu, could you put it in simpler terms?
**Mu:** It means blessings and misfortunes coexist and transform into each other. Kazuma's good fortune probably gathered because of his companions.
**Hiroshi:** You'll understand better when you grow up, Hinata.
**Hiroshi:** Everyone, come over tonight. I'll go prepare.
Closing the group chat, Hiroshi began preparing for the party.
As the sun set in the west and night gradually fell, the estate grew lively. Under the bright magical lights, Hiroshi toasted and exchanged drinks with his friends.
Kazuma Sato was crying to Hiroshi about how he couldn't afford a proper estate after all and had ended up buying the haunted mansion from the destiny fragments. He also mentioned recently spotting Darkness following him.
Recalling the countless "colon"-filled messages from Mu that he'd muted earlier, Hiroshi figured it was best for Kazuma not to know about those—after all, Darkness was also his companion (laugh).
Elsewhere, Fischl, Ruri Gokou, and Megumin had gathered together. The almost tangible aura of "Chuunibyou" (teenage delusions of grandeur) filled the air around them. Hiroshi decided to ignore the three chuunibyou girls striking various poses under the cherry blossom trees.
Klee had taken Hinata to show her room and the newly planted flowers, making plans to go fishing at Starfell Lake together.
Lumine was sitting at a table, taking care of Paimon, who had eaten so much she looked ready to burst.
Diluc and Diona were reluctantly mixing drinks for Venti, with most of the special wines Hiroshi had prepared being taken for experimentation by Kaeya, Venti, and the other drinkers.
Jean and Lisa, meanwhile, sat under the cherry blossoms, lost in thought as they admired the flowers. In that moment, Jean looked like an ordinary girl.
Seeing the scene he never could have imagined before, Hiroshi downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, pulling Kazuma along to drink with him.
Oh, right, after all this time, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Hiroshi. I'm now an Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, Klee's "Brother hiroshi," Fischl's friend from another world, Diona's favorite cook, Jean and lumine's friend, Kazuma Sato's great frenemy, Ruri Gokou's part-time mentor, Xiaohei's big brother, and a member of Mu's group.
I once held nothing in my hands, but now, I've gathered many precious things. I'm someone who wants to protect the people important to me.
My name is Hiroshi.